The project for Bandeirante plant includes the supply and installation of three 9.65MW power units made of a S-Kaplan turbine, a horizontal generator and a speed governor. The plant will have a total output of 28MW. The execution of the contract will take place until August 2019.
The project for Areado plant includes the supply and installation of two similar units. The plant will have a total output of 18.6MW. Its commissioning is due to be completed in September 2019.
Once fully commissioned, both plants will power the local industry and about 165,000 households.
Atiaia Energia S.A chose GE's horizontal S-Kaplan turbines because they are fully adapted to rivers with smaller falls and higher flows, while being compact and robust machines with low maintenance.
Those contracts add to the previous successful collaborations between GE and Atiaia Energia S.A for Garganta da Jararaca, Canoa Quebrada, Buriti, Paranatinga and Porto das Pedras power plants.
Only 40% of the world's Small Hydropower potential is equipped. With over 25,000 km of rivers, 98 GW of installed hydropower capacity out of 151.7 GW of installed power, Brazil is one of the leading countries in terms of hydropower. In 2016, 203 MW of Small Hydropower were added.
Mauro Cruz, General Manager for GE Renewable Energy's Hydro business in Latin America, said, "We are extremely proud and honored to have been chosen by Atiaia Energia S.A for those two Small Hydropower plants contracts. GE has launched a complete new range of Small Hydropower solutions which benefit from GE's unique experience in Large Hydropower and meet GE's highest standards of quality, reliability and flexibility. Bandeirante and Areado plants will soon be Small Hydropower key references to showcase."
